8 Sci-Fi Animated Shows With Rare Near-Perfect Rotten Tomatoes Scores

Science fiction has always been popular in movies and television, going all the way back to films like 2001: A Space Odyssey and shows like The X-Files. While often seen with live actors, animation has also been a huge part of the genre, successfully mixing sci-fi with comedy, superheroes, and more. In the last ten years, science fiction has become even more prominent on TV, largely due to the rise of streaming services like Netflix and Prime Video.

Whether it’s hugely popular shows or lesser-known favorites like Invader Zim, critics consistently recognize quality television. Even shows made for children receive praise when they tell a compelling story. While very few series achieve perfection, some are exceptional enough to rise above the rest and often attract viewers of all ages.

Futurama Applied The Simpsons’ Formula to Sci-Fi

Following the huge success of The Simpsons, Matt Groening created Futurama. The show centers around Philip J. Fry, a man from the 20th century who unexpectedly finds himself in the year 2999. He joins the crew of a space delivery company and becomes friends with a robot named Bender, a one-eyed mutant named Leela, and an eccentric old scientist called Farnsworth.

Known for its consistently funny science fiction stories, Futurama was often even funnier than The Simpsons, playfully poking fun at classic space adventures like Buck Rogers and Flash Gordon. Beyond the laughs, the show could also be surprisingly touching, and it clearly influenced later hits like Rick and Morty. With overwhelmingly positive reviews from both critics (89%) and fans (86%), and even perfect scores for its movies, Futurama is a truly important piece of animated sci-fi history.

Star Trek: Prodigy Expanded Gene Roddenberry’s Vision

Since its debut in 1966, Star Trek has become a cornerstone of science fiction, captivating audiences with the adventures of Captain Kirk and the Starship Enterprise. The franchise has continued to evolve with new series and films, most recently with the animated show Prodigy, which aims to introduce a new generation to the Star Trek universe. Prodigy is set a few years after the events of Star Trek: Voyager and follows a group of young aliens who find freedom by taking control of an abandoned Starfleet vessel.

Star Trek: Prodigy successfully introduced a new, younger audience to the Star Trek universe, cleverly updating the show’s core ideas for a modern audience. Critics highly praised the series, giving it a 97% approval rating – even higher than the original Star Trek! While some longtime fans might not love it, it’s a fantastic way to get younger viewers interested in the franchise.

Justin Roiland Continued His Success With Solar Opposites

Following the popularity of Rick and Morty, Justin Roiland created Solar Opposites. The show centers around a family of aliens from the planet Shlorp who crash-land on Earth and try to blend in with human society in the American Midwest. Interwoven with their story are tales of humans held captive elsewhere and the ongoing events on their home planet.

Solar Opposites rapidly gained a 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, surprisingly even receiving better reviews than Rick and Morty, despite not being as widely discussed. It’s a unique show that blends the familiar feel of a family sitcom with clever science fiction, making it a great choice for today’s viewers.

Invader Zim is a 2000s Cult Classic

Invader Zim is about an alien named Zim who’s sent to Earth by his people. Though they actually didn’t want him and secretly abandoned him, Zim believes he’s there to help conquer the planet. He tries to blend in as a human boy to prepare for the invasion, but a young boy named Dib is onto him and knows his true identity.

Despite being canceled after just two seasons, Invader Zim eventually gained a dedicated following among both fans and critics. The show stood out for its surprisingly dark humor, which continues to appeal to viewers of all ages. Remarkably, it achieved a perfect 100% rating from critics and a very high 91% approval from fans – a rare accomplishment for a cartoon.

Invincible is the Ultimate Superhero Series of the 2020s

In 2021, Prime Video adapted the superhero comic book series Invincible, created by Robert Kirkman and Ryan Ottley. The show takes place in a world filled with superheroes who are inspired by characters from other comics and focuses on Mark Grayson, the son of the incredibly powerful Omni-Man. As Mark develops his own superpowers, he seeks guidance from his father, ultimately discovering a shocking truth: Omni-Man is a dangerous villain.

Invincible is a superhero series that expertly blends action, science fiction, and inspiring themes. It draws inspiration from classic characters like Superman, but quickly establishes itself as something special. Many consider it the best animated superhero series in over two decades, surpassing even productions from Marvel and DC. The show was an immediate success, earning a remarkable 99% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars Enriched George Lucas’ Universe

Following the completion of George Lucas’s Star Wars prequel trilogy, Dave Filoni expanded the story with The Clone Wars. Beginning shortly after Attack of the Clones, the series centers on Anakin and Obi-Wan as Anakin takes on Ahsoka Tano as his apprentice. Together with clone troopers, they journey across the galaxy, working to free prisoners, forge alliances, and fight major battles against the Separatists.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars was a standout animated series of the 2000s and quickly became a fan favorite within the Star Wars universe. Many viewers felt the show developed its characters even more effectively than the prequel trilogy it expanded upon, particularly enriching Anakin Skywalker’s tragic journey and giving the clone troopers more personality. For a whole generation, it was their favorite Star Wars experience, successfully bridging the gap between a show for kids and something adults could enjoy too.

Rick and Morty Is a Modern Sensation of Dark Humor

In 2013, the animated series Rick and Morty burst onto the scene, quickly becoming a favorite among science fiction fans. The show centers on Morty, a young boy who constantly finds himself swept up in wild adventures with his quirky, genius grandfather, Rick Sanchez. Each episode takes them to different dimensions, and Rick’s pessimistic outlook adds a layer of dark comedy to their chaotic experiences.

This animated series, a hilarious and somewhat twisted take on Back to the Future, became a defining show of the 2010s. It resonated with a wide audience, even those who don’t usually watch cartoons, thanks to its clever, often cynical humor. It’s no wonder critics still love it, with a 90% approval rating.

Green Lantern: The Animated Series Capitalized on the Revival of Hal Jordan

Following the popular comic book run Green Lantern Rebirth by Geoff Johns and Ethan Van Sciver, Hal Jordan became a leading character for DC Comics in the 2000s. While the 2011 Green Lantern movie didn’t perform well, the character found success through animated series. The show centers on Hal Jordan, who pilots a unique, intelligent spacecraft alongside Kilowog and Razer, a member of the Red Lantern Corps. Throughout their adventures, Hal attempts to forge an alliance with Razer, despite the looming danger posed by the Red Lanterns.

With near-perfect scores from both critics and fans, Green Lantern: The Animated Series is considered one of the greatest sci-fi shows ever made. Each episode offered a fresh and unique setting for the heroes, ranging from a steampunk world to thrilling space battles. Blending adventure, action, and classic superhero themes, this DC series proved why Hal Jordan is such an iconic Green Lantern.

2025-12-13 19:10